Moving on to Dehydrating

I think I've done all the canning I want to do this year.  Unless I come across something else I just have to do, that is!  I spent Saturday canning chicken soup.  It's The Canning Diva's recipe, Nature's Cold & Flu Remedy and it's delicious!  With that and the beef stew I've canned, I'm ready for the cooler weather!  Now I'm moving on to dehydrating.  I made Cajun seasoned jerky yesterday and tomorrow I plan on drying apples.  I think I'm going to do a batch of mesquite jerky and a batch of banana chips soon too.

Saturday 9

Ain't That a Kick in the Head?

Saturday 9: Ain't That a Kick in the Head?

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here.

1) In the song, Dean sings, "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" to express how delighted he is to discover the girl loves him. When was the last time you were pleasantly surprised?

The other night at dinner, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my daughter says the Pledge of Allegiance every day at school.  I didn't know they were doing that.

2) Martin was born Dino Paul Crochetti, and his family only spoke Italian at home. Do you speak any language other than English?

Only what we've learned from Dora and Kai-Lan :)

3) Before he became an entertainer, Martin fought under the name "Kid Crochett." Do you watch boxing? What about wrestling?

I have been known to get into WWE.

4) This song appeared in the original Ocean's 11 (1960). That film was remade in 2001, with basically the same plot -- a group of suave criminals knock over the casinos on the Vegas Strip. Why  do you think so many movies feature crooks and con men as  heroes?

As someone who loves the Ocean's movies, I love seeing the "tricks" and plots to pull a heist on the casinos.  George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt...who cares what their doing as long as they're doing it together on screen for me to drool over! :)

5) Crazy Sam's college sweetheart took over his family's wholesale liquor business, married a woman named Helene and has two sons. How does she know this? She checked his Facebook page on the sly. Have you ever used the internet to look up an ex?

I've had an ex look me up and apologize for being such an ass while we were together...ha ha! 

6) As she writes this week's meme, Sam is sipping from a Big Bang Theory cup that features  Sheldon's face and the word, "Bazinga!" Tell us about your favorite mug or water bottle.

I had a mug made up that has my kids pictures all over it with the words love, family, faith and hope in between the pictures.

7) Are you a good judge of character?

I think so.

8) Do you know how to turn a somersault?

Yes.  I don't know if I dare try it anymore though!

9) Which one do you use -- roll-on, stick or spray deodorant?

Stick.

Girl Time

My friend, Kathy, came over and spent the day with me and the kids yesterday.  Lloyd was teaching a late class and wasn't going to be home until around 11 pm and that's the perfect time to have girl time with Kathy because her husband works second shift, so we can get together and hang out all day.  Once I get the kids in bed, we have even more fun because we don't have to censor our conversations.  We always talk about the most random things and have so much fun!  We went from American press box seating to giggle fisting!  That sounds awful but it was just a hilarious mispronunciation.  I love spending time with her because she's a great friend, we can talk about literally anything, and she's just so much fun to be around!  I absolutely love having girl time with her. :)

Just Two More

After I finished canning the beef stew and the applesauce, I decided I was going to do one more thing and that would be if for the year.  Well, I've changed my mind.  I'm canning caramel apple pie filling tomorrow, which was the last thing I was going to do, but I decided to do some chicken soup too.  A while back, I went to a class that a friend was teaching about canning, and we made her chicken soup.  It was delicious!  I decided I have to make some of that too!  She shares the recipe at her awesome site, The Canning Diva, along with a lot of other yummy recipes and tips about canning.  I'm going to try to give it a rest after that....but honestly, we'll see!  I truly didn't expect to get into canning as much as I have and when I find something I really want to try, it's become like an addiction, and I can't stop thinking about it until I make it!  I guess there are worse things to be addicted to, right? :)

Poor Little Bugger

When I was putting Lucas to bed last night, he felt a little bit warm.  I checked his temperature and he had a slight fever.  :(  I gave him medicine and rocked him to sleep.  He woke up at about 12:30 am with a much higher fever.  He was whimpering and snuggling up to me.  I gave him another dose, unfortunately we were out of ibuprofen, so it was just acetaminophen, and after about two hours, he was ready to go back to bed.  He woke up again a little after 5 am and was up for another hour.  He slept one more hour and has been up since.  Lloyd ran to the store this morning to get more medicine before work and I'm hoping it will help more with the fever.  Even though he wouldn't go down for his morning nap, he's been in a pretty good mood.  He's had lunch now and I'm hoping he'll finally be ready for the rest he needs.  The upside to being up most of the night with a sick baby is all the extra snuggles and seeing the deer in the back yard early in the morning.  The downside, there's never anything good to watch in the middle of the night.  Between infomercials and ads for how to find top law firms in san diego, I think my IQ dropped a little.  As I said, though, the extra snuggle time makes it worth it!

Sunday Stealing

Fall / Autumn Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme.  Let's go!!!

From Confused Calling
Fall/Autumn Meme
First of all, is autumn your favorite season? Why or why not?  Spring and Fall are my favorites.  Cooler temperatures but not super cold or super hot. 
Is it ‘autumn’ or ‘fall’, to you?  Fall.
What kind of weather does your area get during this season?  Cooler temperatures and rain. 
Were you born in an autumn month?  I think November is technically a fall month but it always seems more like winter. 
Do you pay attention to any ‘fall fashions’?  Not really.
Which leaf color is your favorite?  Yellow, I guess. 
Is it still fun to rake the leaves and jump in piles of them?  I don't do much of the yard work at all.  My daughter helps my husband and she plays while he rakes :) 
When can you really tell that it’s autumn?  When I see pumpkin stands along the roads. 
Do you enjoy carving pumpkins?  Yes. 
Do you eat the pumpkin seeds? If so, do you put any kind of flavoring on it? I don't care for them but I make them for my husband.  I use different seasonings every time.
Are you planning to go to a pumpkin patch this year?  We'll probably go to Paulson's again to get our pumpkins. 
Which was your favorite Halloween costume to wear?  I can't think of one that was really my favorite.  Maybe when I was a punk rocker. 
Are you planning to go trick-or-treating? Why or why not?  Yes, taking the kids with friends.  Although we said last year we were going to stay home and pass out candy while our husbands took the kids :)
Are there any county fairs or festivals held nearby during this time?  When I was young my town did an Applefest and I loved it but they haven't done it in years :(
What is your favorite dessert for this time of year?  Good old pumpkin pie. 
Is your Thanksgiving Day in October or November, if you even celebrate it?  November. 
If you do celebrate it, where do you usually have Thanksgiving dinner?  We go to my husbands parents house and celebrate with his family.  There are usually 50+ people there. 
Do you remember any crafts you used to do that were autumn-themed?  I remember making the hand turkeys :) 
Are any of your favorite bands doing a fall tour this year?  I don't know. 
Which new TV show are you looking forward to this season?  How I Met Your Mother 
How does autumn typically make you feel?  Happy that the heat is gone but sad that I can no longer wear sandals :P 
What color do you always associate with autumn?  Orange 
Is there a song that always reminds you of this season?  No 
Do you have any seasonal traditions?  Just the usual holiday get-togethers. 
Do you spend a lot of time outside during this time of the year?  I try to get out with the kids and play some. 
How can you tell that fall is over?  When the snow starts falling.             
What is a typical autumn outfit that you wear?  Jeans, hoodie or sweater and tennis shoes.
Describe a perfect autumn day:  Sunny with cooler temperatures.                 
Do you hate it when stores start promoting Christmas early?  Yes but only because it reminds me how unprepared I am! 
What is your favorite thing about this season?  Keeping the doors and windows open and letting the crisp, fresh air in.

Saturday 9

Seattle

Welcome to Saturday: 9.  What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions  every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random  questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants  posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your  choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Seattle
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) Let's get the obvious out of the way: Have you ever been to Seattle?

No.

2) Businessweek named Seattle one of the best places to live, citing its clean air, low crime and high employment. What makes your current hometown a great place to live?

I grew up here.  It's a small town and everyone knows everyone, which can be irritating, but the town comes together during the rare crisis. 
3) In this song, Bobby brags about how green Seattle is. Is it still green where you are? Or are the trees beginning to show their fall colors?

It's mostly green but the colors are slowly starting to change.  Our neighbor, across the street, has a tree out front that's half green and half red, split down the middle. :)
4) This song was the theme of a 1968-1970 show called Here Come the Brides. Do you know the words to any other TV theme?

Lots of them.  Probably more than a person should know.

5) Bobby Sherman was once America's #1 teen idol, selling millions of records and earning 5 Gold Albums. Girls who wrote to his fan club received a postcard back signed, "Peace, Love & Bobby Sherman." Have you ever belonged to a fan club?

No.
6) Alas, the career of a teen idol can be short, and by fall 1970, Bobby was replaced on magazine covers by David Cassidy. Sherman went on to a second career with the LAPD, instructing officers in CPR and first aid. Do you know how to perform CPR? The Heimlich Maneuver?

Yes and yes.  When I was pregnant with my son, I had to give my daughter the Heimlich maneuver when she was choking on a sucker :(  It was so incredibly scary but I was glad I knew what to do and didn't panic.

7) The "disc" you see shown is actually made of cardboard and was printed on the back of a Post Alpha-Bits cereal box. It was one of four that Post printed on different cereals back in 1970 so that Bobby-loving little girls would have to go through lots of different cereals to collect the whole set. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

Honey Nut Cheerios
8) Crazy Sam can't decide if she wants berries or banana slices with her cereal. Which would be your choice?

Bananas
9) Do you ever eat cereal straight out of the box? Drink milk directly from the carton?

I have eaten cereal from the box, when getting a bowl for my kids, but drinking from the milk carton is a major no-no.  I have weird issues with dairy.  I can't eat or drink from anything dairy that someone else has had their mouth on.  I don't know why but it has always grossed me out.

Saving

Lauryn is really good at saving her money.  Whenever she gets some, whether earns some from us or weasel's some from her grandparents, she wants to count it and put it in her piggy bank right away.  She loves when we roll it up and take it to the bank to put in her account.  Sometimes Lloyd will show her special things about certain coins.  She saw one of those ads for the coins you can buy, like golden eagles, and she said she was going to start looking out for them too.  I told her that those are collector coins and that we probably won't be getting them in our change. :)

I May Be Addicted

To canning, that is!  Seriously!  Last year, I learned how to can salsa in a water bath.  After I made a batch of apple butter and a batch of carrot cake jam.  This year, I have gone a little crazy with it.  My mother-in-law showed me how to use my pressure cooker and that's opened up a whole new world as far as canning goes.  Here's what I've done, so far:

32 quarts, 3 pints of salsa

16 pints of garlic dill pickles

10 pints of applesauce

10 pints of beef

9 half pints of strawberry chocolate sauce

and I am in the process of pressure canning 8 quarts of beef stew as I type this.  All that I have listed has been done in the last two months!  I love it!  I love preparing everything, I love seeing all those jars cooling on the counter, I love seeing jar after jar arranged in the cupboard and I love knowing that my family will have these things on hand when we need them.  What I love the most though, is hearing the pings when the jars are sealing.  Hearing those is like a reward after hours of prep work.  I plan on making apple pie filling next and after that I think I'm going to be done....that's the plan anyway!

Saturday 9 *late*

Dominos

Welcome to Saturday: 9.  What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions  every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random  questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants  posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your  choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Dominos Unfamiliar with this week's song? Listen to it here.

1) Have you ever carefully set up dominos and then watched them fall? Or built a house out of playing cards?

Yes for both.

2) In this week's song, Big Pink lead vocalist Robbie Furze sings, "The hottest love has the coldest end." Have you ever had a relationship that started out so promisingly and passionately but then quickly flamed out?

I've been with my husband since I was 19.  I only had one serious relationship before that and we were together for 2 years.  I dated in between but nothing that I really thought was going to be really serious.

3) This is from Big Pink's CD, A Brief History of Love. What about your personal history of love? How many times would say you have truly been in love?

I have truly been in love three times.  I fell in love with my husband just a couple of weeks after we met and knew he was "the one" and I fell in love with my children the second I knew I was pregnant with them, and that love intensified when they were placed in my arms.

4) Nicki Minaj sampled this song for her own, "Girls Fall Like Dominos." Nicki won't be back on American Idol this season. Is your reaction a) delight or b) sadness or c) a yawn.

D.) I really don't care.

5) While nationally the news centers on foreign policy and the economy, Sam's hometown is abuzz over the new Asian-fusion restaurant on Main Street and whether it can get a liquor license. What's the big local story where you are?

There are two at the moment.  There was a body found by a some young girls and there is a 10 year old boy missing.  My town is small and relatively crime free so this is pretty scary.

6) Mary Jane Kelley is believed to be the fifth and final victim of Jack the  Ripper. OK, now it's your turn. Share a random fact that's rattling  around in your brain.

It's just after 8 am, I've been up since 6:30 am after going to bed a little past 3 am.  The only thing rattling around my brain is that I need more coffee!

7) Crazy Sam cursed last night when she dropped a can of tomato paste on her foot. (Hey! It really hurt!) When was the last time you swore?

Last night, while talking and joking with friends around the bon fire.

8) Sam has a grocery bag filled with hoodies and t-shirts she no longer wants and plans to take them to The Salvation Army store. What do you do with your gently used clothes? Toss them or donate them or hand them down to a friend or relative?

I give most clothes to Mel Trotter Ministries but the kids clothes I pass on to whoever can use them.  I had a box of Lauryn's clothes in the back of the Trail Blazer that I'd been meaning to drop off and I was glad I hadn't yet when a friend from high school posted on facebook that friend of hers was looking for 3T girls clothes, after a fire in their apartment.

9) Do you blush easily?

No but when I do, there's no hiding it.  My cheeks get super red :P

Sunday Stealing *Part 1 and 2*

I missed last weeks Sunday Stealing so I'm making it up now :)


 

Have you ever said you would never love again?  Sure 
Have you heard a song today that reminds you of somebody?  Yes
Do you apologize first? Yes, when I know I'm in the wrong...or even sometimes just to end a meaningless argument.
Has someone made a promise to you and broke it?  Yes 
Have you ever won a lot of money in a slot machine? How much? No 
Do you watch sport on TV even though you aren’t a sporty person yourself? I watch a little baseball with my husband but I don't care for any other sport. 
Do you eat / drink at your computer? I'm drinking coffee right now. 
How much do you overeat at special occasions? (Birthdays, Christmas, etc)  I try not to overeat.  I hate that stuffed, bloated feeling. 
Do you require glasses / contacts to see properly? If so, which do you use?  Yes, both.   
When you hear your voice back on a recording, do you think it sounds awful?  I think I sound like a child. 
When was the last time you got the hiccups?  Yesterday. 
If you had to, which record would you go into Guinness World Records for?  Hula hooping...I don't know :)
The last sweet thing you ate: What was it?  A tootsie roll, two days ago. 
Do you have a middle name?  Yes 
Do you find it embarrassing?  No

Part 2:

What would you choose to be famous for?  Singing...but I'm not that good :P
If you have a webcam, are you ever paranoid people can see you?  I do and I never use it, so I'm not worried. 
Do you find it difficult to sleep at night? Any reason(s) why?  Sometimes.  Right now, for instance, I've been up since 3 am (it's 6 am now) and it's because I have a yucky cold. 
If you had to go on a game show, which would you choose?  The Price Is Right 
What about if you had to go on a reality show?  I don't know, I'm not into reality shows much.
Which would you choose then?  Which would I choose between a game show or a reality show?  Game show. 
Tell me about your favorite TV show:  I love Sex and The City and The Golden Girls.  It's like the Sex and The City Girls got old and moved to Miami :) 
Why were you last irritated?  Because I'm sick and I have little patience when I don't feel well :( 
What time did you get up this morning?  3 am 
The last city you were in: Where was it and do you like it there?  I went to Greenville of Friday.  I like it because it has the store my city doesn't but I will also always dislike it because it's our city's rival :P 
Do you like the countryside?  Yes 
If you see someone yawn, do you often yawn as well?  Doesn't everyone?   
Recommend me a good movie:  "He's Just Not That Into You" 
Do you think you’d make a good model?  Not even close! :) 
Would you ever want to be one?  I think it would be fun to have fun/crazy make-up and outfits on but that's about it. 
How often do you change your hairstyle?  Every few months. 
What does it look like now?  A mess! 
Do you have a favorite day of the week? Which is it?  Saturday or Sunday.  Whatever day that my husband gets to be home all day and spend time with us :) 
Are you alone?  I'm the only one awake but there are three other people in the house :) 
When is the last time you were on the phone after 2 am?  Probably when I was a teenager. 

Saturday 9

Band on the Run

Welcome to Saturday: 9.  What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions  every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random  questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants  posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your  choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Band on the Run

1) This song is about a band of musicians that escapes on an adventure. Do you consider yourself spontaneous and adventurous?

Maybe when I was younger but not so much anymore.
2) Paul McCartney and Wings traveled all the way to Lagos, Nigeria, to record Band on the Run. That's a long, long way from London. What's the farthest from home you've ever been?

Mexico

3) Wings featured Linda McCartney on keyboards. Paul said that when Linda died, after almost 30 years together, he lost the love of his life. Who is the love of your life? Or have you yet to meet him/her?

My husband, Lloyd.  We've been together for 13 years, we're coming up on 9 years of marriage and every day I feel luckier and more blessed than the day before. <3
4) Paul has said he's very proud of Band on the Run, his most successful post-Beatles album. Brag a little. Tell us something you're proud of.

I'm proud that my husband and I are doing our best to raise polite, thoughtful, respectful children and I think we're doing a decent job :)

5) Paul's birth certificate reads "James Paul McCartney." He's named for his father, Jim. Are you named after anyone?

No

6) Paul enjoys oil painting in his spare time. What's one of your hobbies?

Crocheting
7) 20 Forthlin Road, Paul McCartney's boyhood home, has been turned into a museum by the British government. It's a modest 2 bedroom cottage, with a drainpipe that Paul used to climb to sneak in after curfew. How would you describe your childhood home?

Filled with four rambunctious kids.
8) Paul is 5'11". How tall are you?

5'2"

9) Actor Christopher Lee is on the album cover. He played Dracula in a series of movies in the 1950s and 1960s. Who is your favorite vampire?

I'm not into vampires so I don't have a favorite.  Maybe Count Chocula? :)

More Music Talk

I was talking with my friend, Kathy, and she's been telling me about learning the guitar.  I'm really excited for her to learn!  Maybe someday, if I ever get a guitar, and time, she can teach me.  She was telling me about Lace Humbucker Pickups at musician's friend and I had no idea what she was talking about.  Seems learning the guitar isn't just about plucking different strings!

No Wonder

Last night was an awful night for Lucas.  He barely slept all night and was pretty cranky.  He's had a yucky nose and I figured he was probably catching what Lauryn is getting over but I noticed this morning he also has two teeth coming through.  No wonder he was having such a rough night!  I gave him a some medicine but it didn't seem to help much.  He's been better today, still a bit of a runny nose, but his energy is back.  I'm pretty sure he felt like the King of the Castle while his sister was gone all day :P

Birthday Wishes

Lauryn has been going on and on, since Lucas's first birthday, about what she wants for hers.  So far, her list is mostly musical instruments.  She wants a drum set, a trumpet, a flute, cymbals, a real piano, new music stands wood at m123, and every other instrument or accessory she's ever heard of or seen.  While I fully support her interest in music, I'm afraid she's going to disappointed when she doesn't get all of that for her birthday.  We're going to get a few things but that's an awful lot, and quite expensive, for a birthday.

First Day of Young 5's

Today is Lauryn's first day in the Young 5's program at Oakwood Christian Preschool.  When I woke her up this morning, she was asking for a few more minutes but when I mentioned that she could only have a few because she needed to get ready for school, she perked right up and got right out of bed.  This year, she goes Monday, from 9-11:30, Wednesday 9-3, and Friday 9-11:30.  I was a little nervous about her first day being all day but her teacher from last year commented on a facebook post that she visited the Young 5's and that Lauryn is doing great!  She's getting over a cold so I've been worried that she wouldn't have much energy or that they might call and say she started feeling worse.  I can't wait to pick her up and hear all about her day.  She was very excited that this year she gets to take a lunch with her.  I packed her everything she loves, hoping that she'll eat well.  Carrots, string cheese, crackers and applesauce - all her favorites, so hopefully there weren't any problems.



[caption id="attachment_4340" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Walking in to school with Daddy :)[/caption]

 

Well that was crazy timing.  As I was writing this, Lauryn's school called and I instantly got worried.  They started the conversation off with, "There's nothing wrong with Lauryn so please don't worry..." and then asked about the eczema on her arms and mentioned that she looked a little flushed after they had played outside.  We've been dealing with the eczema, on and off, for about two years, always on the inside of her elbows.  I'm going to bring the lotion in and fill out a form so they can apply it as needed.  As for her cheeks looking flushed, whenever she runs around and gets all warm, her face gets red.  If it's really hot out, her arms do too.  We had a nice talk and the panic I was feeling when I saw the caller ID on my phone has gone away.

Less than two hours and Lucas and I will get to go pick up our girl :)  I think he's enjoying having Mama to himself but I know as soon as he sees her, he will be so happy and want to play.

Weekend In Review

To share your weekend, please visit Jodi at:

Friday ~ Lloyd took the day off and helped with the kids while I canned more salsa.  It was great having him home an extra day :)  The kids loved it!  In the evening, Lauryn and I met up with Kristin, Ross, Jesse, Nikki and Willow, to watch the Twilight parade.  We had lots of snacks and Nikki brought glow necklaces, bracelets, wands and swords.  We got there early so we had fun with the kids, took pictures, and talked about looking for a raleigh house cleaning service.  It's fun to see everyone and everything all lit up through the parade.    Saturday ~ Lloyd made breakfast and then we got ready and headed down to the fair.  Lauryn was so excited and wanted to ride everything!  She and I went on the Ferris wheel, the Gravitron, the Tilt-A-Whirl, the swings, and the Scrambler.  She rode all of the kiddie rides and she, Lucas and I rode the carousel together.  We played a few games, bought some lemonade and before we left, we walked over to the arts and crafts at the park and Lauryn got her face painted.  Shortly after we got home, my Mom came over and she and I went to pick up my brother Jayson.  We had an easy dinner of ham and cheese sandwiches, chips and pickles and we visited for the rest of the evening.    Sunday ~ I made breakfast and we hung out around the house most of the day.  Lauryn and Lucas kept their Uncle Jay busy all day :)  In the evening, Mom came back over and we grilled burgers, hot dogs and brats.  After dinner, we went downtown and watched the fireworks.  Lucas did not have a good time :(  He was too tired and was upset through the whole show.  After we got the kids in bed, we sat out on the deck and visited for a few hours.    Monday ~ I had put breakfast in the crock pot the night before so it was ready when we got up.  I made some biscuits and we all ate before heading down to the parade.  Lauryn loved it and got tons of candy.  Lucas had a much better time and was clapping, waving and dancing to the music.  Aunt Dereka and Uncle Russell visited after we got back and then I took Jayson home.  When I got back, we had leftovers for dinner and relaxed in the evening.  It was a long, fun weekend :) 

Saturday 9

 

Welcome to Saturday: 9.  What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions  every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random  questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants  posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your  choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Come Monday

Thanks to AuntieM4Cabs for recommending the Buffett theme

1) What will you be doing come Monday (Labor Day)?

Going to the parade and hanging out with family.

2) This song is about a performer who is "heading up to San Francisco for the Labor Day weekend show." When you think of San Francisco, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Long, hilly roads.

3) As he sings, Buffett tells us he's wearing Hush Puppies casual shoes. What's on your feet as you answer these nine questions?

Nothing.
4) So many Jimmy Buffett songs take place on or around the water. When was the last time you were on a boat?

Quite a few years ago.

5) Everyone knows Jimmy Buffett can write music, but he also has more than half a dozen books to his credit. What's the last book you read?

I'm reading James Patterson's latest Womens Murder club book.

6) Jimmy's persona is that of a simple beach bum, but in reality he's a conglomerate, with his own beverage company, more than a dozen restaurants and a couple hotels. He's so successful he has several homes, including a luxury mansion in the Hamptons! If you, like Buffett, could just take off and spend Labor Day weekend anywhere, where would you go? Who would you take along?

I can't think of anywhere I'd specifically like to go, but I would definitely take my family.

7) This weekend may offer a golden opportunity for napping and sleeping in. Do you snore?

Only when I have a cold.

8) Labor Day was introduced to celebrate the achievements of the American worker. Yet  this Recession has taken its toll on many of us laborers. Sam's brother, a movie projectionist, hasn't worked full-time in his chosen profession in more than a year. Is anyone  close to you struggling with unemployment or underemployment? (If so,  they are in our thoughts this weekend, too.)

Yes.
9) Onto something happier ... Labor Day traditionally marks the beginning of  the new school year. When she was a kid, Samantha was crazy for her  brand new box of 96 Crayola Crayons. It even had a sharpener in the  back! What do you remember about preparing to go back to school? If you're a parent with school-age kids, are they ready?

I loved school clothes shopping.  My daughter is getting ready to enter the Young 5's and she's ready and raring to go!

Not Done Yet

So far, I've canned 22 quarts and 3 pints of salsa.  I think I might do one more batch in the next couple of weeks and call it good.  A couple of weeks ago I didn't a batch, 7 pints, of garlic dill pickles.   I want to can applesauce this year too.  The kids go through it like crazy and Lloyd's parents have an apple tree that's producing a ton fruit.  I never thought I'd enjoy canning so much but I really do!  I feel like I'm getting better, more efficient at it.  Last year, I did two batches of salsa and they both seemed to take forever and I went through every kitchen towel in the house.  This year, I didn't need so many absorbents and the whole process was so much easier.  I've been looking through recipes and thinking about what else I might like to try.  In a couple of weeks, my mother-in-law is going to come over and help me can some beef.  I've never pressure canned before and I want someone with experience here with me when I do it for the first time.